Things To Avoid When Designing Your First Business Card

A business card is a small two-inch by three-inch card identifying a business or individual. It contains essential contact information and the overall value you offer to others.

 

Here is a list of things to avoid when designing your first business card.

 

Lack Of Branding

 

Brand identity is a crucial part of your business. Brand awareness should be your number one goal, and this is what separates you from other competitors, allowing you to remain front and center.

 

Odd Designing Proportions

 

When you begin designing, decide your focal point—using the golden ratio- 1:618, for describing the proportions of the human body and is also an essential component of web design. The difference between scale and proportion will help you.

 

Scale: refers to the size of one object to another.

 

Proportion: refers to a general relationship in size between two objects.

 

Harsh Color Schemes

 

A few examples of harsh color schemes would be :

 

* green, yellow, or purple on a green background

* light colors on a white background

* neon or rainbow colors

* colored, textured background with colored text

* multiple colored boxes

* yellow, blue, and magenta on red background

* bright blue background

* pale yellow background

 

All of these schemes will be harsh on the eyes.

 

To Much Visual Clutter

 

Create only one focal point, and avoid cramping images. If you use multiple fonts, they will fight for attention. Use both the front and back of the card. Avoid taking up all of the white space. Please refrain from putting read more on the card to show double-sided. LESS IS MORE!

 

Poor Quality Card Stock

 

Avoid a gloss finish on the business card. You will want to choose a high-quality matte finish that doesn't bend or tear easily. People tend to jot down information on the cards, and the gloss finish makes it difficult.

 

Typos, Misprints, And Tiny Or Unreadable Print

 

If your card has typos or misprints, it is saying you don't care about your business. You are in too big a hurry, and that makes people question your work ethics. Avoid shrinking words to make them fit or hard-to-read fonts. It will cause strain on the eyes.

 

Make sure you prioritize readability over creativity. Less Is More. Your business card should include the following information:

 

* Business Name

* Personal Name

* Job title/Specialization

* Business Website

* Business Address

* Phone Number

* Email Address

* Social Media Handles

 

If you follow these tips and avoid the following: Lack of branding, odd design proportions, harsh color schemes, too much visual clutter, inadequate quality card stock, typos, misprints, and tiny or unreadable print, your business cards will stand out above the rest.

 

Be sure to double and triple-check over your design. If you have to get another pair of eyes to go over it, do that. Some places offer you to print a sample of the card to see what it will look like before buying them in bulk.

 

Do not print the cards yourself. You and everyone else will be able to tell they're cheap.